Help on a Stones Riff

oldrocker · #1 06-14-2007, 08:22 PM

Every once in a while I run into this. I know what notes I want to play, but I'm not sure where to play them.

Take "Tumbling Dice" by the Stones for instance.

There a lot of B notes, so usually I would play on the A string 2nd fret. There is a little walk up from B to D#D#EE then a little riff: F# to Higher C# back to F# back to lower B Octave B to E F then repeat the F# to Higher C# back to F# back to lower B riff.

How would a real bass player handle this?

Would he play the B on the A string 2nd fret - walk up on the D string and play the higher C# on the 6th fret G string with pinky or ring finger back to index or middle for the F# on 4th fret D string and jump back to the A string 2nd fret for the B.

OR

Would he start on the 7th fret E string for the B and walk up on the A string and play the F# on the 9th fret A sring and higher C# on the 6th fret G string?

OR

Would he do something completly different?

Thanks-

JimmyM · #2 06-14-2007, 10:07 PM

Either way is correct.

PilbaraBass · #3 06-14-2007, 10:28 PM

If it was me playing I would do it the first way....only because I just think better below the 9th fret...I throw in a lot of open string extra stuff in my playing, and keeping it on the lower frets helps me move to and from open strings more easily...

I should work away from this for a while, however, and get out of my comfort zone...playing my BEAD bass helps me here, as I am anchoring more around the 5th and 7th frets as opposed to the open-string and 2nd frets...

Alvaro Martín Gómez A. · #4 06-14-2007, 11:37 PM

Both ways are correct. The only difference that may help you make your choice is the tone you (and/or your band) are after. Your second option (change the higher C# on the 6th fret G string for the same note on the D string, 11th fret) will give you a fatter, thumpier tone than your first choice, which is the one I think Mr. Taylor (not Wyman) used on the recording, just judging from the tone.

oldrocker · #5 06-15-2007, 08:42 PM

Thanks for you help everyone.

After practicing it a while the 1st method feels most comfortable. After a few hundred repititions the jump from high C# to F# back to B isn't as hard as I thought it would be.

Alvaro's suggestion is a close second, and is probably how it is played on the recording.

It's a nice bass line with a few different lead ins to the riff I can work on, and a nice little walk down he does a bunch of times at the end.

Thanks Again